The Harptones were one of the many doo-wop vocal groups to emerge from New York City in the early ’50s and, although they did not have an illustrious chart career, they were one of the most consistently admired  groups.

With the distinctive tenor voice of Willie Winfield almost always to the fore, they produced a string of polished and classy performances on record through the 1950s, hampered in their search for chart success by recording for a variety of small and under-resourced record companies.

This 54-track 2-CD set includes A- and B-sides of singles for the Bruce, Essex, X, Paradise, Andrea, Rama, Gee, Tip Top, Domme, Warwick, Coed, Companion and Cub labels during this era, and features their best-known recordings such as A Sunday Kind of Love,  Why Should I Love You?, Life is But a Dream, The Shrine Of St. Cecilia, and What Will I Tell My Heart.

As well as their own recordings it includes performances with Bunny Paul, The Woodside Sisters, Mabel King, Raoul Cita Chorus, Ruth McFadden, Carol Blades and Valli Hilton, on which they were either named featured artists or backing vocalists.

A worthy showcase for one of doo-wop’s most stylish exponents.

REVIEWS

The Harptones had one of the most beautiful lead voices of the decade in Willie Winfield, as well as other singers capable of taking leads themselves, and able to produce a thrilling harmony blend as the main feature of a number, not just as backing vical colour behind Willie's superb work up front. This 54-track set is a delight. A great collection from probably my favourite ever vocal group, with definitely my favourite ever lead singer, the great Willie Winfield. - Pete Bowen (Now Dig This Issue 457)